CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A Camden firefighter has died after falling into the Delaware River and getting trapped under the ice.
Authorities said the firefighter, identified as 60-year-old Howard Bennett, was performing maintenance on one of the department's boats at the Wiggins Marina around 11 a.m. Thursday morning, when he went under.
Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen said a massive rescue effort ensued, and first responders from Philadelphia and Camden worked to get Howard out of the water, but it took around 30 minutes to locate him in the river.
"Times like this, you realize how fragile life is, and my prayers are with his wife, my prayers are with his brother, his kids. We are there in times like this in the city, we come together," said Carstarphen.
He also said grief counselors are available for firefighters and everyone affected by the firefighter's death.
"Literally, firefighters are coming together to make sense of what happened," said Carstarphen.
Bennett had been with the Camden Fire Department for 26 years.
"Today, the city of Camden and the entire state of New Jersey lost a hero. This tragedy is a stark and painful reminder that the dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building. Our members put their lives on the line every single day," said Mathew Caliente, PFANJ President. "We are devastated by the loss of Brother Bennett, who dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Camden. Our hearts, our prayers, and our full support are with his family, his friends, and the members of Camden City Firefighters Local 788 and Camden Fire Officers Local 2578 during this unimaginably difficult time."
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
The medical examiner is also still determining the cause of death.
